The Directorate General of Health (DGS) reported Friday that the measles outbreak has risen to 82 cases. Of the 82 infected, 71 have recovered. At present, there are 20 cases under investigation, 197 negative cases and 2 patients hospitalized in a stable clinical situation.
The vast majority of cases have links to the Santo António Hospital in Porto with at least one case reported in Lisbon.
The DGS recalls that the measles virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by spread in the air when the infected person coughs or sneezes. Patients are considered contagious from four days before and up to four days after the onset of the rash.
Measles symptoms usually appear between 10 and 12 days after the person is infected and usually starts with fever, rash (progresses from head to trunk and lower extremities), cough, conjunctivitis and runny nose.
There is a vaccine against measles in the National Vaccination Program, which should be administered at 12 months and 5 years.
